Toilet brush with improved universal joint

ABSTRACT

A TOILET BRUSH WHICH CAN BE REMOVABLY MOUNTED TO AND FROM AN ELONGATE HANDLE AT AN IMPROVED UNIVERSAL JOINT. THE ELONGATE HANDLE INCLUDES A PAWL MOUNTED NORMALLY TO THE LENGTH OF THE ELONGATE HANDLE. A HAND-SIZED PARABOLIC PLATE MADE OF SEMI-RIGID PLASTIC INCLUDES A SPONGE BRUSH AT THE BOTTOM SURFACE AND A MOUNTED CIRCULAR TRACK ON THE UPPER SURFACE. THE CIRCULAR TRACK, ALSO MADE OF SEMI-RIGID PLASTIC, DEFORMS TO RECEIVE THE TWO OPPOSED ENDS OF THE PAWL. BY THE EXPEDIENT OF ROTATING THE PAWL WITHIN THE CIRCULAR TRACK OR ROTATING THE HANDLE ABOUT THE AXIS DEFINED LONGITUDINALLY OF THE PAWL, UNIVERSAL-TYPE MOVEMENT OF THE HANDLE WITH REPSECT TO THE BRUSH IS DISCLOSED. THE HANDLE IS PROVIDED WITH IMPROVED RIGIDITY BY A SERIES OF VERTICAL FLANGES EXTENDING ALONG ITS LENGTH.

United States Patent [191 Numbers et al.

[ TOILET BRUSH WITH IMPROVED UNIVERSAL JOINT [75] Inventors: J. L. Numbers, Scottsdale; Guy

Bailey, Phoenix, both of Ariz.

[73] Assignee: Guy Bailey, Phoenix, Ariz.

22 Filed: Aug. 30, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 284,857

52 user l5/244A, 15/144A, 287/97 [51] Int. Cl ..A47l13/257,B25g 3/38 [58] Field of Search. 15/144 R, 144 A, 172, 229 B, 15/229 BP, 229 BC, 229 BW, 244 A; 287/97, 103 A; 306/2, 3, 5, 7-11 3,720,976 3/1973 Bailey 15/244 A Primary ExaminerDaniel Blum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Townsend and Townsend 5 7 ABSTRACT A toilet brush which can be removably mounted to and from an elongate handle at an improved universal joint. The elongate handle includes a pawl mounted normally to the length of the elongate handle. A handsized parabolic plate made of semi-rigid plastic includes a sponge brush at the bottom surface and a mounted circular track on the upper surface. The circular track, also made of semi-rigid plastic, deforms to receive the two opposed ends of the pawl. By the expedient of rotating the pawl within the circular track or rotating the handle about the axis defined longitudinally of the pawl, universal-type movement of the handle with respect to the brush is disclosed. The handle is provided with improved rigidity by a series of vertical flanges extending along its length.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures TOILET BRUSH WITH IMPROVED UNIVERSAL JOINT This invention relates to brushes and more particularly to a toilet brush of an improved design which incorporates an improved universal joint for removably mounting a palm-sized toilet brush to the human hand.

Most conventional toilet brushes which are commercially available rigidly attach to an elongate handle. While this handle is sufficient for cleaning the toilet bowl in the vicinity of the trap, it is not efficient for cleaning a toilet bowl around therim or top. Certain toilet brushes found in the art are not rigidly attached to the-handle but are provided with a universal joint. However, the cleaning surface of these brushes cannot be forced against the irregularly shaped surfaces of the toilet bowl such as the underside of the toilet rim since the universal joint prevents the exercise of torsional control over the cleaning surface by a person grapsing the handle.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved universal joint in combination with a toilet brush for removable mounting of the brush to an elongate handle. According to this aspect of the invention a pawl with rounded ends is mounted normally across the axial length of the toilet brush handle. The toilet brush includes a circular raceway or track having for its inside dimension a complementary section rounded to receive and capture the rounded ends of the pawl. By either rotating the pawl within the track and/or rotating the handle about the pawl a universal mount is provided between the brush and removable handle.

An advantage of this invention is that the pawl lies across the top surface of the toilet brush over its entire length. Appliedforce from the handle urges the lower surface of the pawl in contact with the top of the brush to provide an improved downward thrust on the toilet brush along the length of the pawl.

Yet another advantage of this invention is that when either the pawl, the circular track, or both are made of semi-rigid plastic material, the pawl or track can elastically deform to permit removable attachment of the pawl within the circular track.

A further object of this invention is to provide for improved removable attachment between the brush and pawl. According to this aspect of the invention the circular track is provided with a notch typically along an axis of symmetry with respect to the parabolic shaped brush. By the expedient of rotating the handle and thus pawl parallel to the axis of symmetry of the parabolic shaped brush, one end of the pawl becomes easily removable through the notch in the circular track. Convenient disengagement results.

An advantage of this configuration is that the pawl and circular track are no longer required to be elastic.

A further object of this invention is to provide a semirigid backing for a toilet brush of the sponge variety.

An advantage of this semi-rigid backing is that the brush when urged downwardly on the bowl can conform at its mounting plate to curvatures of the toilet bowl side walls.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved handle construction for a toilet bowl. Typically, the handle is provided with at least a plurality of flanges extending normally to a web extending medially between the flanges. The web attaches longitudinally of the pawl while the flanges attach normally to the longitudinal length of the pawl. When such a handle is constructed from semi-rigid material, bending parallel to the plane of the flanges for urging the brush downwardly upon the toilet bowl can occur. Bending normal to the plane of the flanges as in moving the brush over the surface of the toilet bowl is resisted.

An advantage of this configuration of the handle is that it permits an improved scrubbing sidward motion of the toilet brush over the toilet side walls.

Other objects, features and advantages of this invention will be more apparent after referring to the following specification and attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet brush of this invention showing the universal mounting of the handle with respect to the brush;

FIG. 2 is a top elevation view illustrating the rotation of the pawl interior of the handle to impart rotary motion of the handle and pawl with respect to the axisof symmetry of the brush;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation section taken medially through the circular track illustrating a notch facilitating removable attachment of the pawl interior of the universal joints;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2 and illustrating the webs and attached flanges;

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation taken at the handle in the vicinity of the grip along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating the web and attached flanges.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the configuration of handle A can be illustrated. Basically, the handle includes a web 14. Web 14 attaches to a pawl 16 at one end and extends the entire length of the handle.

Web 14 includes a plurality of flanges l5, l7 and 18 integrally formed to the web and extending the entire length of the handle. Similar to web 14, flanges l5, l7, 18 all attach at pawl 16. As can be seen, the web 14 and its attached flanges taper from a relatively narrow section adjacent pawl 16 to a broader configuration adjacent the opposite end of the handle.

It has been found desirable to reinforce the handle in the vicinity of its end opposite the pawls. This reinforcement occurs typically where the handle is gripped. Therefore, two additional flanges l9 and 20 are added to the handle and extend as here shown approximately 30% of the total length from the remote end of the handle from pawl 16.

At the end of the handle removed from the pawl, flanges l5 and 18 curve arcuately to meet radially a cylinder 25. As is apparent, cylinder 25 provides a convenient means for hanging the brush to mountings such as hooks, nails or the like.

Pawl 16 is cylindrical. It is attached to handle A at web 14 and flanges l5, l7 and 18. Typically, pawl 16 is provided with spherically rounded oppositeends 27, 29. As will hereinafter be set forth, these spherically rounded ends 27, 29 fit interiorly of a circular track defining a partial spherically rounded concavity on top of brush B. The cylindrical portions of pawl 16 provide a bearing surface when the pawl is engaged with brush B. Torsional control over the brush is thus provided since bearing down on one or the other ends of the pawl by rotating the handle about its longitudinal axis controls rotation of the brush.

Brush B is typically of semi-rigid plastic material. Referring to FIG. 2, it can plainly be seen that brush B about an axis of symmetry 30 has. a parabolic contour 3 2. Parabolic contour 32 terminates at an edge 34 nor-- mal to the axis of symmetry.

It should be noted at this point that the brush is roughly palm-shaped- Thus, when brush B is detached from handle A, it easily fits within the palm of thelhand of theperson who would use the brush.

MOunted to the bottomsurface of semi-rigid plate 32 there is a sponge 35. Sponge 35 is the scrubbing surface of the toilet brush here illustrated. It should be apparent that the other scrubbing surfaces, such as bristles and the like could be used with this invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the upper surface of plate 32 has integrally formed therewith a circular rim 40. Rim 40 is typicallyintegrally formed with the plate 7 Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that rim 40 conforms to define a substantially expanding concavity. This concavity expands from a smaller cross-section at the top of walls 41 to a larger cross-section at a lower portion of walls'4l closer to the upper surfaceof brush B, along the inside walls 41 of rim 40. As here shown, the inside walls 41 define a portion of a spherical concavity. Naturally, any concavity is'sufficient so long as pawl 16 can be captured therein and rotated therein.

Normally, the material from whichrim 40 is formed as to provide over at least the surface interior of therim I r r 40 and underlying the pawl .16 a uniform downward force. The remainder of the semi-rigidplate B is free to conform around in bendingaction around lower surface of pawl 16 in contact with the top of brush B.

It should be realized'that a number of alternate em bodiments of this invention are'possible: For example,

the pawl and rim shape both in interior. side wall dimen-.

sion and the pawl dimension could, be changed. Likewise, other changes may be made. in this invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

' l. Atoilet brush comprising in cornbinationza plate;

A a brush surface attached to the bottom of said plate; a

is the same as the material from which plate 32 is formed. That is to say, both rim 40-and plate '32 are formed of a semi-rigid plastic. Typically, insertion and removal of the handle at'pawl 16 can occur through elastic movement of the rim walls 40 to permit penetration and removal of the pawl 16 at inside walls.'-4l.

Insertion and removal of the pawl 16 can be facilitated by providing a notch 45 in the rim side walls. Type ically this notch is provided along the axis of symmetry 30. V 1 I Having set forth the configuration of the brush, its operative features can now be set forth.

circular rim attached to the top ofsaid plate, said rim defining from a preselected elevation adjacent the top of said plate to the top of said rim it gradually constricting cross-section; a handle adaptedfor being grasped at V one end; an elongate generally cylindrical pawl;

mounted to said handle at the opposite end, said pawl dimensioned tov be longer than the cross-section at the top'of said rim for capture at its endsj interior of the concavity defined by the side walls of said rim and rotatable therein, said pawl having: a lower generally elon- I gate bearing surface nearly cry-extensive with the length of the said pawl, said bearing surface allowing for added control over the plate.

2. The invention of claim 1 and whereinsaid rim is circular. g

3. The invention of claim l and: wherein said rim .defines at said inside walls from the top of said plate to the top of said rim a concavity which is defined by the segment of a sphere.

4;. The invention of claim l'andwherein said pawl is provided with spherical rounded ends, the lower portion of said ends terminating in the bearing surface.

Typically, handle A can be mounted to brush B in one of two ways. First, the pawl 16 can-be forced downwardly interior of the rim 40 so that the elasticity of both the pawl and/or the rim permits capture of the pawlinterior of the rim. r

Alternatcly, and when notch can be moved so that its axial length'is parallel to theis. provided, pawl 16.

axis of symmetry 30. Penetration of the pawl interior of the rim is facilitated atnotch 45 along one end of the pawl. Thereafter, the handle is, moved so as to rotate one of the ends 27, 29 away from notch 45. Capture of the pawl interior of the rim walls results.

When brush B is not handheld, but ;is rather mounted to handle A, the flexure of the plastic handle here shown provides several advantages. Typically, the

handle easily bends normal to the planeof web,1'4.

However, and through the action of flangeslS, 1'7 and 18, a sideways bending of the handleisresisted.Therefore, by moving the handle from side to side, abrisk scrubbing action of the brush surface. here shown sponge 35, can occur. 5 Additionally, it will be rememberedthat plateBis manufactured of semi rigid plasticmaterial.Thislmatesaid circular rim defining an expandingconcavity inter, ior of the inside walls thereof, said cavity expanding from: the top ofsaid rim to the bottom of said rim adja cent said plate; a notch interrupting the side walls of said rim defined in said rim along the axis. of symmetry of said plate; a handle adapted for being grasped at one end; an elongate pawl mounted normally across said handle at the opposite end and disposable withinthe concavity; said pawl dimensioned in length to be larger than the smallest diameter of said concavity and atleast 7 as large as the interior dimension of said concavity to fit and be captured interior of the concavity of said rim;

said elongate pawl providing an elongate ,lower bearing surface and being rotatable about afirst axis normal. to

the plate and asecond axis coaxial withthe pawl and non-rotatable about an axisnormaltosaid first andsecondaxes so that movement. of the handlennder force force.

rial can bend andiconform'.tothecurvature oftheinterior of any type of lavatory bowl, such as a toilet bowl.

or sink... Finally, it should be noted that thelentire lengthof pawl 16 is useful in forcing thebrus'hdownwardly. Typically, this'pawl L6 bears downwardly on the p late B the generally flat'web;

. V r r causes controlled "deflection. of the platei under such I 8. The invention of claim 11 wherein the handie: com.-

p'rises a plurality of flanges attached to agenerally flat web,-said'flanges beingqattached tosaidpawl. I 5

a 9. Thetinvention of claimrfl wherein'the axis of the elongatepawl is,generallycoincidentwithi the plane-{of agent 1 

